AWIS
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ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
Washington Wire
November 2008
Issue I
Greetings!
 
Many thanks to everyone who offered to volunteer with the Washington Wire!  Our new contributors include Marilyn Wooten, Juliane Mills, and Christiana Fogg.   
 
If you have an article or an opportunity you'd like to share, send an e-mail to [email protected] and include "For Washington Wire" in the subject line.
 
Also, don't forget to submit your nomination for AWIS Fellows. AWIS Fellows are nominated by an AWIS member, recommended by the Selection Committee, and elected by the AWIS Executive Board.
 
To see a full description of the nomination process and to submit your nomination, please visit http://www.awis.org/about/FAQ.html.

Deadline for nominations is December 15, 2008.
 
Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!
Janet
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Janet Bandows Koster
Executive Director
In This Issue
Education
Government
International
Science and Health
Chapter News & Events
Opportunities
Education
 
Final Report of The Gender Equity Task Force 
The University of Texas at Austin published its Final Report of The Gender Equity Task Force. Nine areas, gender gap in faculty representation, promotion and attrition gap for faculty advancing through the ranks, salary gap, climate concerns, leadership gap, policy awareness and use, governance, family-friendly policies, position of senior women are examined. Although women are generally satisfied with their current positions, the report found that promotions for women lagged that of men and a salary disparity persists even when accounting for "salary structure and rank." 
 
Assessing Gender Equity 
 
Tough Times Ahead for Higher Education
Colleges and Universities around the country are incurring steep declines in endowment funds.  Many, such as Brown and Cornell, have frozen some hiring and are either delaying construction or reviewing budgets to see which projects can be put off. Stanford is slashing its budget by $45 million. Even Harvard is scaling back plans and budgets as it faces a deep dip in endowment earnings.
 
 
Stanford University's Family Friendly Policies Expand
Chemistry department chair establishes a "special purpose space" for faculty, staff, graduates students, and postdoctoral scholars dealing with certain personal issues, such as a bad headache or the need to pump breast milk. The person signs up for the room when they need privacy. Additionally nursing rooms on campus can be located by calling the university WorkLife Office. "Such policies are intended to increase the number of women pursuing advanced degrees that will prepare them for leadership positions in academia, industry and government."

Government
   
Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act 
"The unprecedented credit market conditions throughout the past several months have clearly impacted the student loan market. These necessary measures will allow for more liquidity in this market and should help to prevent the financial turmoil from hurting opportunities for our students," said Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. The Department of Education, Treasury Department and the Office of Management and Budget are actively pursuing measures for Federal funds to be available to pay for higher education.
 
Continued Access to Federal Student Aid
 
STEM Politicians
Newly elected Members of Congress include several with science and technology backgrounds: Representatives-elect Parker Griffith (D-AL, physician), Bill Cassidy (R-LA, physician), Paul Tonko (D-NY, engineer), Eric Massa (D-NY, engineer), and Kurt Schrader (D-OR, veterinarian). Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL), a Fermilab physicist elected in March 2008 to fill the remaining term of former Speaker Dennis Hastert, was elected to a full term. The Scientists and Engineers for America (SEA) web site lists a total of 47 Members of Congress who hold undergraduate, masters, or doctoral degrees in a science, engineering, mathematics, or medical field.
 
International
    
International Best (and Worst) Academic Salaries
Interested in a faculty position overseas?  Before accepting the job offer, review Boston College's Center for International Higher Education October 2008 report "International Comparison of Academic Salaries: An Exploratory Study." This report establishes a baseline for comparison of full-time, post-secondary faculty salaries in 15 countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Columbia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Analysis of the available date revealed that, based on purchasing power, Saudi Arabia leads the pack in faculty compensation.  In general, salaries are highest in more-developed countries compared to less-developed countries. Entry-level faculty salaries were the lowest in China ($682/month), compared to Canada, which offered the highest compensation ($5206/month).  The highest salaries for top-level faculty, found in Saudi Arabia, earn 4.6 times their lowest-compensation counterparts in China ($8409 compared to $1845).
 
Careers
 
Gender Differences Among U.S. Medical School Faculty Significant
The AAMC has issued an "Analysis in Brief" on "Differences in U.S. Medical School Faculty Job Satisfaction by Gender."  Significant differences in levels of job satisfaction between men and women were noted particularly in faculty promotion, pay, and compensation.  The briefing concludes that instituions need "to create equitable environments that
maximize the satisfaction and vitality of all faculty."
Mixed Blessings:  Internet and Email at Work
Just about everyone has a personal email and internet account these days, but what role do these technologies play in the workplace?  A recent study by the Pew Research Center, "Networked Workers," reveals that 62% of American workers use the internet or email in their daily job.  While 43% of us occasionally work from home, only 18% do so almost every day.  Also, those higher on the corporate ladder are more likely to own tech-gadgets, such as a laptop or personal digital assistant (PDA).  Those perks come with a cost, however:  half of PDA-owners state that they are expected to check-in while away from the office.  It's not all business, though, as 22% of networked workers report using the internet at work for shopping.
 
Are You Wired Yet?
 
Women of Color Face a Spiral of Exclusion at US Securities Firms
                         
In today's global economy, employers miss out on an opportunity to capitalize on their internal talent when they ignore the diversity within the "women of color" sector of their staff.  Not recognizing the shared cultural experiences among Latina, African-American, and Asian women, for example, is a strategic misstep when developing policies of inclusion and a diverse workforce.  In a report released by Catalyst in October 2008, researchers found that persons of color held only 11% of positions within securities firms.  The report focused on women of color, in particular, who experience an exclusionary work environment, limited access to the "old boys" network, and a lack of mentors and business development opportunities.  By studying these hidden biases, employers can attract, retain, and promote their in-house talent.

Science and Health
  
A Novel Molecule in the Brain Linked to Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers at the LSU Health Sciences Center demonstrated for the first time that a ribonucleic acid (RNA) fragment, called microRNA-146a, are found at elevated levels in Alzheimer's disease-affected brains, and this microRNA is functional by deregulating anti-inflammatory responses in the brain.  These novel discoveries provide evidence for the role of inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's disease, and indicate new approaches for drug therapies.


Women Pay More for Health Insurance than Men
A recent report in the New York Times revealed the significant disparity in insurance premiums paid by men and women for individual health insurance plans. Women pay higher premiums for plans from several different carriers, and the cost difference is most apparent for women 19 to 55 years old.  Insurers suggest that women use more health care, especially in this age range when they typically have children, but this disparity also affects women who do not pay for additional maternity coverage or do not have children.


Americans Waiting Longer to Get Married
The median age of first marriage has been on the rise for both men and women over the last few decades, and the age is now the oldest on record since this issue was included in the U.S. Census over a century ago.  Many couples now marry when they are in their late 20's, and reasons for waiting include completion of post-graduate education, focus on careers and establishment of financial security.  Sociologists are now studying the effect of this trend of delaying marriage on a couples' long-term happiness and stability, and are trying to determine if an ideal age for marriage exists. 
 
Chapter News and Events
 

AWIS Bethesda Chapter

Event:
"Money Shy to Money Sure:
A Road Map toward Financial Serenity in Troubled Times"
by Olivia Mellan, of Olivia Mellan & Associates, Inc.
Date:  Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Time:  
The presentation will be from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Light refreshments and networking opportunities are available at 4:30 pm and after the presentation.
See: http://www.nih.gov/about/visitorsecurity.htm for visitor information.
Location:  NLM Visitor center (Bldg 38A), on the NIH campus:  

AWIS East Bay Chapter
 
Event:
  
Applying Bioscience and Biotechnology Techniques to Help Solve the Global Energy Challenge -Dr. Susan Jenkins of Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) 
Date:
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Time:       
6:30pm Light Supper, 7:00pm Program Begins
Location: 
Novartis*, 4560 Horton St, Emeryville, CA
*Novartis security procedures require check-in at the guard station on 53rd St at Chiron Way prior to parking. Meeting is held in building 4 (5300 Chiron Way), Room 104. Enter the doors nearest the big yellow stucco ball. Sign in with the security at the front desk.
Cost:       
Suggested donation $10 non-members or $5 members
For more information visit:  www.ebawis.org
www.ebawis.org     

AWIS Connecticut Chapter

Event:
Pathways of Drug Development
Date:|
Wednesday, November 20th
Time:
6pm-8pm
Location: 
1941 Room, College Center at Crozier Williams
Connecticut College, New London, CT

Pfizer Panelists -
Anabella Villalobos, PhD, VP, Antibacterials and Neuroscience Research Chemistry
Michele Millham, MA, Senior Scientist, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease Research, Biology
Tess Wilson, PhD , Senior Director, Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism
Laura Dill Morton, DVM, PhD, Research Fellow, Drug Safety R&D
Yanqiao Xiang, PhD, Principal Scientist, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Terri Patterson, PhD, Associate Director , CVMED Clinical Development 
 
AWIS Massachusetts Chapter
 
Event:
Career Development Speaker Series at WPI 
 Joanne Kamens, Director of Discovery, RXi Pharmaceuticals and Past President, MASS AWIS
Date, Time:
11/12 4-5pm:     Mentoring 101
12/2 4-5pm:       Networking Workshop
Location: 
Gateway Park, 60 Prescott Street, Worcester, MA
This program is sponsored by AWIS, The WPI office of Women's Programs and RXi Pharmaceuticals.

For more information:  [email protected]

Opportunities

 
The National Medal of Science
Help celebrate the contributions of your colleagues by submitting a nomination for The National Medal of Science. The National Medal of Science was established in 1959 as a Presidential Award to be given to individuals "deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences." In 1980 Congress expanded this recognition to include the social and behavioral sciences. The National Medal of Science is the highest honor the President bestows on scientists.  A Committee of 12 scientists and engineers is appointed by the President to evaluate the nominees for the Award. Since its establishment, the National Medal of Science has been awarded to 441 distinguished scientists and engineers whose careers spanned decades of research and development.

Deadline: December 5, 2008
For more information or to nominate someone

Alan T. Waterman Award for Young Researchers
The National Science Foundation is pleased to accept nominations for the 2009 Alan T. Waterman Award. Each year, the Foundation bestows the Waterman Award to recognize the talent, creativity and influence of a singular young researcher. Established in 1975 in honor of the Foundation's first Director, the Waterman Award is the Foundation's highest honor for researchers under the age of 35.

Nominees are accepted from any field of science or engineering that NSF supports. The award recipient will receive a medal and an invitation to the formal awards ceremony in Washington, DC. In addition, the recipient will receive a grant of $500,000 over a three-year period for scientific research or advanced study in any field of science or engineering supported by the National Science Foundation, at any institution of the recipient's choice.

For detailed nomination information and criteria, please visit https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/honawards

Complete nomination packages, consisting of nominations and four letters of reference, are due by December 5, 2008. The nominations and letters must be received through the FastLane system. Please contact the Program Manager for the Alan T. Waterman Award at [email protected] or 703-292-8040 if you have any questions. You may also visit http://www.nsf.gov/od/waterman/waterman.jsp for more information. 
 
AWIS Educational Foundation Awards for Undergraduates 
New this year!  The AWIS Educational Foundation has re-focused its grant giving priorities.  New scholarships are available for undergraduate women in science. 
 
Application Deadline:  January 23, 2009
 
Click here for more information

Society for Women's Health Research Accepting Nominations for Prize for Contributions to Women's Health  
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Society for Women's Health Research Medtronic Prize for Scientific Contributions to Women's Health.  The annual $75,000 prize recognizes a woman scientist or engineer for her contributions to women's health. It also encourages women scientists and engineers to work on issues uniquely related to women's health and rewards women who have devoted a significant part of their careers to this area. The prize will be given to an outstanding scientist or engineer in mid-career whose work has led or will lead directly to the improvement of women's health. The recipient's commitment to sex differences research and their success as a role model and as a mentor will be noted.

The application deadline is Jan. 28, 2009, and the award will be presented at the Society's annual gala on April 20, in Washington , D.C.

Quick Links
AWARDS SPOTLIGHT
 
Dr. Vivian Pinn


 Phoebe and participants

Vivian W. Pinn, M.D., director of the Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently received the AAMC's Herbert W. Nickens Award which honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions to promoting justice in medical education and health care and is named for a former vice president of the AAMC.
 
Read here for more information on Dr. Pinn's recognition.
 
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